Gilbert, Higley tax rates for past 30 years

by Hayley Ringle - Oct. 1, 2012 01:15 PMThe Republic | azcentral.com

Gilbert Public Schools' tax rates have increased 40 percent from last year, the highest in at least 30 years.

Despite the jump, district officials assert that the actual total tax rate of $7.20 per $100 of assessed valuation is $3 less than the highest rates in 1995 and 1997, when the rates were between $10.45 and $10.40 per $100 of assessed valuation, respectively. The rate increase affects property owners in those portions of Gilbert and Mesa that are within the district's boundaries.

The tax rate also winds up in the middle of those levied by surrounding school districts this year, with Higley and Queen Creek school districts higher, and Mesa and Chandler districts lower, said Clyde Dangerfield, GPS' assistant superintendent for business services.

In comparison, Higley Unified School District's new tax rate, at $7.28, is 10 percent higher than the year before. However, last year's rate jumped 38 percent higher than the 2010 rate, according to information provided by the Arizona Tax Research Association.

Higley had several high rate increases in the past 30 years, including an 88 percent increase change in 1987, when the tax rate rose from $5.18 per $100 of assessed valuation in 1986 to $9.73.